Sheet-assembling machine



S. COOPER.

SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man 1m21.191s. RENEwEnJuNE15.192o. 1,414,010.

S. COOPER.

SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE. APPLICATION man 1AN.2|,1916. RENEwED1uNE15,192o. 1,414,010.

vv n. w 92 M 1U 0.

EN @MY w/ Mm MS W .Q u t S. COOPER.

SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

- APPLICATION FILED IAII. 2|. 1916. RENEwED JUNE I.. 1,414,010.

PIIQ'III Apr. 25, 1922.

8 SHLES-SHEET 3.

nml I- @I j qu* S. COOPER.

SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED 1AN.21,1916. REr15wED1uNE'15.192o.

l ,4; 14,0 1 0. Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

8 SHLLlS-SHEET 4.

S. COOPER.

SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED 11111.21, 1916. 11ENEwEn1uNE15.1920.

1,414,010. Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

8 SHLES-SHEET 5.

S. COOPER.

SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

' APPLlcATxoN FILED 1AN.21,1916. RENEwo1uNE15.192o. 1,414,010.

Patented Apr. 25A, 1922.

s SHLnIS-SHEEI s.

S. COOPER.

SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLICATIN FILED JAN. 21,1915- RENEWED JUNE l5, |920. l 1,414,010. Patented Apr. 25, 1 8 SHILES--SHEET S. COOPER.

SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLlcATloN FILED 1AN.21.1916. RENEwEn1uNE15,192o.

Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

mums-SHEET s. 82

5 veu/5oz v'warren ISTATES maar orricl S1MON-COOPER. OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN COLORTYPE COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JEREY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

Application led January 21, 1916, Serial No. 73,301. Renewed June 15, 1920. Serial No. 389,189.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SIMoN Coornu, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Assembling Machines, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to machines for performing operations upon sheets such as attaching sheets of different kinds together to form composite sheets. Such a machine may be employed for example to attach a facing sheet or sheet. bearing a picture upon a backing sheet or mat.-

A principal object of the invention is to produce a machine which will operate to carry the different kinds of sheets into juxtaposition and attach them together, and then form a pack of the connected or composite sheets; and it is one of the objects of the invention to produce such a machine which shall work rapidlyand 'efficiently with capacity for a large output. A

A further object ofthe invention is. to provide simple efficient automatic means for insuring the proper register of the. sheets to be attached and for performing the operations incidental to aiiixing the sheets.

()ne of the features of the invention is the mechanism for supporting the sheets at the point where they are affixed together, the object being to enable this mechanism to cooperate with the receiving table to form a pack of the assembled or connected sheets.

Further objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the general coinbination of parts and in the features and details described in the following specification while the broad scope of the invention is particularly set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a plan of the machine, certain parts being omitted and broken away; Figure 3 is a front elevation with certain parts .broken away; Figure 4 is a detail side elevation showing parts in the mechanism for sep arating the facing sheets from the supply pack preparatory to feeding them forward into the machine: Figure 5 is a similar view omitting more of the parts and showing them in the act of picking up the top sheet of. the supply pack on the feed table; Figure 1s a detail side elevation illustrating parts of the mechanism for controlling the feed table; Figure 7 is a View further illustrating the mode'of operation of this mechanism; l* 1gure 8 1s a vertical section to show details o f the table feed; Figure 9 is a vertical sectlon showing details of the presser means for pressing the juxtaposed sheets; Figures 1() and 11 are details showing means for controlling the grippers on the conveying means that advances the sheets; Figures 12, 13 and 14 are details of other means for controlling gripperson another conveyor of themachine; Flgure l5 is a detail of parts of the mechamsm for supporting the sheets and for aliixlng them together; Figure 16 is a perspective of the pastel' or adhesive-apply- 1ng device removed from the machine; Figu re 17 is a detail plan of a fiexible connectlon or lost-motion device which constitutes a feature of my invention.

Before proceeding to a detail description of the present embodiment of the invention 1t will expedite the disclosure of the invention to state that in the machine illustrated the backing sheets are conveyed forward in one direction, and the facing sheets are conveyed forward in a transverse direction so as to bring the two sheets to rest in juxtaposition. The two sheets are then affixed to.- gether. In the present embodiment the backing sheets are fed to their conveyor by hand, but preferably the facing sheets are fed automatically to their conveyor; And the connected sheets or composite sheets are then collected, for example, by letting them fall by gravity upon a receiving table.

Referring to Figure 2, the backing sheets are conveyed forward as indicated by the arrow near the bottom of the sheet, and the facing sheets are conveyed forward from the left as indicated by the horizontal arrow on the sheet.

In order to advance the backing sheet the frame 1 of the machine supportsy a conveyor, for example. an endless conveyor consisting of two endless chains 2 which are guided about suitable sprocket wheels 4 (see Figure 1). Spaced equidistant'ly on these chains are provided a plurality of sheet-engaging devices or gripper-s 5 (see Figures 9 and 11). These devices may take any desired form, for example, each gripper may .comprise two cross bars 6 and 7 connecting the chains 2, 2, the bar 7 being intended to rock on its longitudinal axis, but normally held by c o1l springs 8 in a closed positlon, that 1s, with la spring jaw' 9 of the gripper in position against the forward edge of the backing sheet at the underside of the bar 6 (see Figure 11). The springs 8 are attached to levers 1() which constitute means for controlling the grippers. Tn the operation of the machine, .as the grippers pass the operators position at the guide board 11 (see Flgure 1)- dogs 12 on the levers 10 are depressed by the downward movement of rails 13 which extend longitudinally with the upper runs of the chains 2 at each side of the machine. This opens the grippers so that the operator can insert the forward edge of the backing sheet. The rails 13 then rise and the grippers .are then closed by the coil springs 8, and advance the sheet. When the backing sheet is to be released from the grippers 5 similar rails 14 (see Figure 11) rise and engage dogs 15 on the levers 10 and rock the bar 7 on its axis toward the left. These rails 13 and 14 are preferably carried on arms 16 on a rock shaft 18 (see Figure 1) and this I rock shaft 18 may be actuated by a link 19 through a bell crank lever 20 (see Figure 3) moved by a cam 21 on cam shaft 22.

In order to support the backing sheet substantially on a level with the chains 2 I prefer to provide supporting means in the form of yieldably extensible bands or tapes 23 (see Figure 15) which are carried by tension devices, in the form of sheaves 24 about which the tapes wrap. These sheaves or wheels are yieldingly constrained vby springs 25 to Wrap up thetapes. The tapes are provided with means for engaging the grippers so as to advance with each gripper. For this purpose the free ends of the tapes are attached to a cross bar 26 (see Figure 15 which shows the tapes extending toward the bar but broken away). As each gripper advances a pair of dogs 27 on the rock bar 7 engage the bar 26 and slide it forward on guide bars 28 which guide its ends near the chains 2. When the rails 14 open the gripper the rocking movement of the bar 7 that opens the gripper also trips these dogs 27 upwardly so that they release the. bar 26 whereupon the springs 25 retract the tapes 23 and the bar 26.

The facing sheets are held in a pack 29 on a feed table 30 (see Figure 4) and I prefer to provide pneumatic means for separating the topmost sheet to present it to another conveyor similar to the conveyor just described. This conveyor comprises two endless chains 31 (see Figures 2, 3 and y12-14) oarryingequidistant sheet engaging devices or grippers 32, which are somewhat similar to the grippers 5. Near the feed table 30 the chains 31 pass around sprocket wheels Lemme 33. As the chains advance with a step by step movement the grippers 32 come to rest successively near the under sides "of the sprocket wheels 33. As each gripper comes to this position (see Figure 12) it is opened automatically by rocking toes 34 which are then rocked down to engage dogs 35 on controlling members such as levers 36 carried by the rocking bar 37 of the gripper, which carries a spring jaw 38 to clamp the forward edge of the facing sheet 39 against resilient, (such as rubber), buttons 40 set in the under side of the otherl cross bar 41 of the gripper. When the gripper is held open as in Figure 13 the pneumatic pickers or suctions heads 42 raise the forward edge of the topmost sheet 39 of the pack 29 so as to hold it against the bar 41. The toe 34 is then rocked back as in Figure 14 and a leaf spring 43 attached to bar 37 closes the gripper. At this moment the vacuum in the suction heads 42 is broken automatically. In order to raise the pneumatic pickers and operate them as described, l prefer to mount all the pickers on a cross head 44 which is reciprocated by link 45 through rock levers 46 and 46a actuated by a cam 47 on a cam shaft 48. To break the vacuum described, I connect the suction heads 42 by individual pipes with a manifold 49 which is connected with a vacuum device b pipe 50. At the moment that the vacuum s ould be broken a lever 51 moves up and opens the manifold 49 to the atmosphere. Lever 51 is actuated by dog 52 (see Figure 4) on lever 53a on rock shaft 53 actuated by link 54 connected to cam lever 55 controlled by a cam or cam shaft 48. An adjustable stop screw 56 enables the moment of opening of the lever valve 51 to be nicely regulated. ln order to enable the individual suction heads 42 to be cut off from the manifold when the machine is working with unusually narrow sheets, T provide valves or pet-cocks 57 in the tubes 58 that connect each suction head with the manifold. The forward edges of the sheets of the pack 29 are aligned against a gage plate 58. v

Any suit-able means may be employed for aflixing the sheets together. This is preferably accomplished through the medium of an adhesive such as paste. In order to accomplish this l prefer toprovide a pasting device 59 (see lFigures 2, 3 and 16) compris! ing a paste reservoir 60 which supplies paste to a. paste wheel 61 provided with a doctor7 or scraper 62 for removing the excess of paste. As one'of the sheets, for example, the facing sheet, advances, its side edge passes over the face of paste roller 61 which is rotated through gears 62.

Referring again to the backing sheet, it is understood that when the facing sheet is advanced, the backing sheet advances transversely over its path and sovas to come to rest withthe rear edge of the backing sheet vagainst. the platen.

in alignment with a platen 63 (seeFigure 15) located at the point 64 (see Figure 2) and the backing sheet is then supported on the flexible tapes 23, in a position to juxtaposewith the facing sheet. The pasted edge of the facing'sheet is then in alignment with the platen 63 and also with the rear edge of the backing sheet.

I provide means for pressing the sheets against the platen to affix them together. l4 or this purpose I prefer to provide presser means in the form of a presser bar 65 (see Figures 9 and 15) which is operated so that it advances laterally into alignment with the platen and toward the platen so as to press the sheets against it. To accomplish this I prefer to provide two horizontal bars 66 with guiding means for the presser bar preferably in the form of horizontal slots 67 extending longitudinally of the levers, and two substantially vertical levers 68 with guiding means in the. form of slots 69 disposed verticall)v so as to extend transversely of the slots 67. The presser bar has two rollers 70 for guiding the presser bar in each of the slots 67 and a similar roller 71 for guiding the presser bar in each of the slots 69. At the proper moment the levers 68 rock toward the right to move the presser bar laterally into alignment with'the platen, and the levers 66 are rocked to move the bar The levers 66 may be rocked by a rock lever 72 actuated by a cam 7 3 on the aforesaid cam shaft 22 (see Figure 1) while the levers 68 may be actuated by a lilik 74 from a bell crank lever 7 5 actuated by a cam 76 on the cam shaft 22. The platen 68 preferably has a yielding cushion or facing 77 of rubber or similar material. After the presser bar 65 ha/s connected or affixed the sheets, it descends. About this time the grippers 5 and 32 automatically release the sheets. In the case of the grippers 5 this is effected by the rails 14. But in the case of the grippers 32, they are released by toes similar to the toes 34 which are actuated by a link 78 (see Figures 12 and 2) from a ro'ck shaft 79. This rock shaft actuates the toes 34 through link 80, and is itself actuated by link 81 (see Figure 12) from rock shaft 53 by a link 54.

I provide means for detaining or holding the connected sheets at the platen -when the grippers 5 and 32 are released, to prevent the retracting tapes 23 (which are also released) from throwing t-he connected sheets to one side. For this purpose I prefer to provide pneumatic ducts 82 which emerge upon the face of the platen (see Figure 15) and these ducts are connected with the pneumatic device through suitable tubes 83.

The grippers 5 and 32 having been released and the tapes 23 having been retracted. the connected sheets or composite sheet now descends by gravity upon the .receiving table 85 (see Figures 1 and 3) which is supported by vertical racks 86 and pinions 87 carried on shafts 8S) (see Figure 1) rotated by av step by step movement through bevel gears 90 carried on a feed shaft 91. This feed shaft has a worm wheel 92 driven by a worm 93 on shaft 94; and the shaft 04 is actuated (see Figures 1 and 0) by a. ratchet 05 and pawl 06, said pawl being reciprm'ated by an eccentric 97 on the cam shaft 22.

I provide somewhat similar means for feeding the feed table 30 upwardly (see Figures 4 and 6). This means includes feed screws 98 the threads of which engage nutsleeves 9S) on the feed table. These feed screws are rotated by a step by step movement, through the medium of an eccentric 100011 cam shaft 48 which actuates a pawl 101 to rotate a ratchet wheel 102 on a tubular shaft 103 which carries worms 104 meshing with worm wheels 98a on the lower ends of the feed screws 98. And associated with the feed table I prefer to provide automatic means for temporarily arresting the upward movement ofthe table in case it is feeding the pack up too high. For this purpose, one of the arms 46 (see Figure. 6) normally may rest on an adjustable set screw 105 in the short lever 106 rigid with a long latch finger 107. When the lever 46 is against the screw 105 it holds the end of the finger 107 out of the path of a tooth 108 on a pawl carrier 109 which carries the pawl 101. If the table 30 y rises too high the latch 107 drops into the path of the tooth 108 and keeps the. pawl carriel 109 'from rocking. Of course the eccentric operates just the same, but by reason of a flexible connection or lost-motion device 110 no injury is occasioned. This flexible connection preferably comprises a spring 111 (see Figures 7 and 16) attached at 112 to the eccentric rod, and yieldingly forces a forked head 113 out against the end of a slot 114 in the end 115 of the eccentric rod lying between the two plates 109a which form the pawl carrier 109. When the pawl carrier is arrested by the latch 107 the eccentric 100 simply compresses spring 111 without moving the pawl carrier 109, though it normally would move the pawl carrier by means of a pin 116 passing through the head 113 and the slot 114. A similar flexible con-y nection or lost-motion device 117 (see Figure 9) is employed in connection with the eccentric 97 which effects the feeding down of the receiving table 85. As the details of this connection and its cooperating parts are the same in construction as those described as associated with the flexible connection 110. This flexible connection 117iis to cooperate withother parts to`control automatically the descent of the receiving table. For this purpose when the. presser bar 65 descends after aflixing two sheets, it rests temporarily on the top of the pack of sheets which lie on the receiving table 85. This occurs because the edge of cam 73 momentarily recedes from lever 72. lf the levers 66 drop down abnormally far they move a latch 118 into the path of a tooth 119 -on the pawl carrier 120, and this prevents the pawl carrier from actuating, and consequently the table temporarily the tooth. v

I prefer to provide means for manually disconnecting the automatic feeds of the two tables 30 and 85 in order to enable them to be raised or lowered by hand when desired. For this purpose in the case of the feedtable 30 (see Figures 3 and 7 -l provide the bore of tubular shaft 103 with a sliding stem 127 which is connected by a pin 128 passing through a slot 129 with a cone 130 mounted to slide on the shaft 103. A finger 131 rigid with pawl 101 is pulled by a spring 132, against the side of the cone. By pushing on the knob 133 the cone will rock the pawl 101 out of engagement with the ratchet Wheel.

Then the shaft 103 can be rotated by hand wheel 134 so as to lower the table 30 quickly to receive another supply pack.

A similar construction may be provided. for throwing out pawl 96. For this purpose the shaft 94 is tubular and `provided with a sliding stem 135 which may be operated todisconnect the pawl, whereupon the hand wheel 136 may be rotated to raise the receiv ing table 85 quickly to receive a new pack of connected sheets.

'Any suitable means may be employed for effecting the step by step movement of the conveyor chains 2 and 31. In order to drive the chains 31 and the other mechanisms a belt pulley 137 drives cam shaft 138 (which carries cam 21) through gears 139 and on through bevel gears 140 it drives cam shaft 48 (see Figure 3), on the far end of which isa crank 141 connected by avconnecting rod 142 with a rock lever or pawl carrier 143, the other end of which has a pawl 144 for rotating a ratchet wheel 145, which through bevel gears 146 (see Figure 2) drives shaft 147. Shaft 147 through bevel gears 148 drives the shaft 149 which carries an opposite pair of the aforesaid sprocket wheels 33.

By reason of the ratchet 145 and pawl 144 evidently the endless chains 31 will be given a step by step movement. ln order to drive the other endless conveyor, the end of shaft 147 (see Figure 2) has a bevel gear 150, that meshes with a bevel gear 151 (see Figure 1) on an inclined shaft 152; and through bevel gears 153 and 154 this shaft drives a shaft 155 which carries anopposite pair of the aforesaid sprocket wheels 4. This evidently imparts a step by step movement tothe chains 2.

vln order to adjust the relation of the chains 2 and 31 so as to regulate the position of the grippers of one chain with respect to the grippersl of the other chain, l prefer to provide an adjustable rotary connection. This may be inserted at the vbevel gear 151 simply by providing a bracket 156 rigid on shaft 152 and having a split collar or clamp 157, which clamps the hub of bevel gear 151 which is loose on the shaft 152 when the clamp is released. By releasing the clamp 157 and rotating the bevel gear to a new position evidently the endless carriers may be adjusted with respect to each other as suggested. By means of the hand wheel 158 on shaft 152 evidently the endless carriers may be advanced by hand when desired.

In order to adjust the scraper or doctor 62 (see Figure 16) it is carried on a shaft 159 carrying an arm 160. The arm 160 has a slot receiving' the end of a small sha-ft 161 which is fixed in an eccentric bar 162. By rotating the shaft 161 by means of the thumb head 163 the arm 160 can be adjusted in either direction and thereby adjusts the position of the scraper 62. I

The general mode of operation will now be described: The operator or feeder of the machine stands near the guide board 11 and at the proper moment shoves the forward edge of the backing sheets into one of the open grippers 5 of the endless chains 2. The rails 13 then rise automatically which permits the coil springs 8 to close the grippers. As the gripper advances, its dogs 27 (see Figure 15) engagethe cross bar 26 and extend the spring-pulled tapes 23 so that they advance and support the backing sheet from its under side in a position of rest beyond the platen 63 and with the rear edge of the backing sheet substantially aligned with the platen. Movement is also imparted to the endless chains 31 and other mechanism so that the pneumatic heads 42 pick up the top sheet of the pack on the feed table 30 and give it to the, chains which advance it over the backing sheet to a position of rest in juxtaposition with the backing sheet. As

the facing sheet advances it is pasted by the ately retracted by `their springs 25. Thegear 151 can be rotated on the inclined shaft means below said platen to collect the con- 152 and clamped in a new position so as to adjust the relative positions of the grippers of one chain with respect to the grippers of the other chain.

It is understood that the embodiment of the invention described herein is only one of the many embodiments or formsy the invention may take, and I do not wish to be limited in the practice of my invention nor in my claims to the particular embodiment set forth above.

I claim:

l. In a sheet-assembling machine, the combination of means for advancing a facing sheet, means for applying an adhesive along the edge of the facing sheet as it advances, means for advancing a backing sheet transversely into position to juxtapose with said facing sheet, a platen, means below the platen for pressing the sheets up against the platen to cause the adhesive to aiiix said sheets, pneumatic means {for temporarily holding the connected sheets against thc platen, means for withdrawing the said presser means from beneath the platen, and

nected sheets in a pack.

2. In a Sheetassembling machine, the combination of means for advancing a facing sheet, means for applying an adhesive along the edge of the facing sheet as it advances, means for advancing a backing sheet transversely into a position to juxtapose with said facing sheet, al platen, presser means for pressing the sheets against said platen to cause the adhesive to connect said sheets together, pneumatic means fortemporarily holding the connected sheets against the platen, means for withdrawing the said presser means from beneath the platen, a table below the platen upon which the connected sheets descend` and means for automatically depressing said table to collect the connected sheets in a pack.

8. In a sheet-assembling machine, the combination of means for advancing a facing sheet, means for applying an adhesive along the edge of the facing sheet as it advances, means for advancing a backing sheet transversely into position to juxtap'ose with said facing sheet, a platen, supporting means movable into position under said backing sheet to support the same, presser means' for pressing said sheets against said platen to connect the saine by the adhesive, means for withdrawing said supporting means from under the connected sheets, and pneumatic means for temporarily holding the connected sheets at the platen while said supporting means is being withdrawn.

4. In a sheet-assembling machine, the comblnation of means for advancing a facing sheet, means for applying an adhesive along the edge of the facing sheet as it advances, means for advancing abacking sheet transversely into positiont' juxtapose with said facing sheet, a platen, supporting means movable into position under said backing sheet to support the same, presser means for pressing said sheets against said platen to connect the same by the adhesive. means for withdrawing said supporting means from under the connected sheet, pneumatic means for temporarily holding the connected sheets at the platen while said supporting means is being withdrawn, and means for collecting the connected sheets in a pack after they fall from said platen.

5. In a machine for assembling sheets, the

combination of means for advancing the fac-- ing sheet, means for pasting an edge thereof, means for advancing a backing sheet transversely to said facing sheet and into juxtaposition therewith, a plurality of supporting members movable in the direction of advance of said backing sheet to support the same under said facing sheet, means for pressing the said sheets together to connect them by the adhesive, and means for withdrawing said supporting members from beneath the connected sheet.

6. In a machine for assembling sheets,the combination of means for advancing a facing sheet, means for pasting an edge thereof, an endless conveyor having grippers for engaging and advancing the backing sheet into position to juxtapose with the facing sheet, a plurality of extensible supporting members, means connected with said supporting members lying in the path of movement of said grippers to extend said supporting members in the direction of advance of said backing sheet to support the same and said facing sheet. means for pressing said sheets together to connect them by said adhesive, and means for withdrawing said supporting members from beneath the connected sheet.

7 In a sheet-assembling machine, the combination of means for pasting the edge of a sheet, a platen, means for supporting the said sheet with the pasted edge adjacent the platen, means for advancing a second sheet into a position to juxtapose with said firstnamed sheet, a presser bar, means for advanciiig the same into alignment with said platen and toward said platen to press the sheets thereagainst at the pasted edge andineans for withdrawing said presser bar thereafter.

8. In a sheet-assembling machine, the combinatioii of mea-ns for pasting the edge 0f a sheet, a platen, means for supporting the said sheet with the pasted edge adjacent the platen, means for advancing a second sheet iiito a position to juxtapose with said first named sheet, a presser b ar, means for advancing the same into alignment with said platen and toward said platen to press the sheets thereagainst at the pasted edge, means for withdrawing said presser bai` thereafter, and pneumatic means for detaining the c onnected sheets while said presser bar is withdrawing.

9. In a sheet-assembling machine, the combination of conveying means including a plurality of grippers for advancing a sheet, a second conveying means .including a plurality of grippers for moving a second sheet transversely and into juxtaposition with said first sheet, and an adjustable driving connection betweensaid two conveying means for adjusting the relation of the grippers of one of said conveying means with respect to the grippers of the other conveying means to regulate the iegister of the juxtaposed sheets.

10. In a sheet-assembling machine, the combination of conveying means including a plurality of grippers for advancing a sheet, a second conveying means including a plurality of grippers for moving a second sheet transversely and into juxtaposition with said first sheet, and an adjustable driving connection between said two conveying means consisting of a rotary member comprising tivo adjustably clamped parts.

11. In a sheet-assembling machine, the combination of conveying means including a plurality of grippers for advancing a sheet, a second conveying means including a plurality-of grippers for moving a second sheet transversely and into juxtaposition with said first sheet, means for pasting one of said sheets before the said sheets are brought into juxtaposition, means for pressing said sheets to connect the same at the pasted portion, and an adjustable driving connection consisting of a rotary member comprising two adjustably clamped parts between said two conveying means for .adjusting the relation of the grippers of one of said conveying means with respect to the grippers of the other conveying means.

12. In a sheet-assembling machine, the combination of conveying means for advancing sheets, means for pasting the said sheets, a second -conveying means having a plurality of grippers for gripping and advancing sheets transversely into a position to juxtapose with said. first sheets, means for pressling said sheets to connect them together, means for temporarily holding the connected sheets, and automatic means for releasing the said sheets from the said grippers.-

13. In a sheet-assembling machine, the combination of conveying means for advancing sheets, means for pasting the said sheets, a second conveying means having a plurality of grippers, means for automatically opening the. grippers and for closing the grippers upon sheets fed into the same to cause the grippers to advance sheets transversely into position .to juxtapose with said .irst sheets, means' for pressing said sheets to connect them together, means for temporarily holding the connected sheets, and automatic means for releasing the said second sheets from: the grippers.

14. In a sheet-assembling machine, the combination of a platen, means for advancing a sheet into position adjacent to said platen, means for pasting another sheet and for-advancing the same into juxtaposition with the first named sheet with. the pasted lportion aligning with t'he said platen, a presser bar, means for moving the same into alignment with and toward said platen to press the sheets against the platen to connect them at the pasted portion, and for withdrawing said presser bar, and means for collecting the connected sheets.

15. In a sheet-assembling machine, the combination of a platen, conveying means for advancing a sheet into position adjacent to said platen, means `for pasting another sheet along an edge and for advancing the same into juxtaposition with the first named sheet with the pasted edge alignin with the said-platen, a plurality of yieldab y extensible bands, mounted so as to be advanced by said conveying means to temporarily support the sheets, a presser bar, means for moving the same into alignment with and toward said platen to connect the said Sheets at the pasted edge, and operating to withdraw thereafter to permit the composite sheet to pass away from the platen.

16. In a sheet-assembling machine, the combination of means for advancing a sheet and temporarily supporting the sheet on its under side, means for pasting the edge of another sheet and for advancing the same transversely into juxtaposition with the other sheet, pressing means for pressing the sheets together at the pasted edge, and means for effecting the withdrawal of the said temporary supporting means to permit the composite sheet to make way for the next sheets.

v17. In a machine for making composite sheets, the combination of a plurality of extensible tapes, tension means for maintaining the same in tension, means for advancingk a sheet and extending said tapes to support the said sheet vfrom the under side, means for advancin another sheet into juxtaposition with the iirst named sheet, means for attaching said sheets together, and means for permitting the tension means to Withdraw said tapes to permit the composite sheet to fall.

18. In a machine for making composite sheets the combination of an endless conveyer, a plurality of grippers carried thereby, each gripper for advancing a backing sheet, means for advancing said conveyor with a step by step movement to bring forward the backing sheets in succession, automatically retracting means advanced by said conveyor to support the backing sheet,

` means Jfor advancing a facing sheet into juxtaposition over each backing sheet, means for connecting the juxtaposed sheets to form a composite sheet, and means for releasing said automatically retracting means to permit the composite sheet to make. Way forl the next sheets.

19. In a machine for making composite sheets, the combination of an endless chain conveyor, la second endless chain conveyor, disposed transversely to the rst conveyor, grippers on the said conveyors for engaging individual sheets, means for advancing 'the conveyors-With a step by step movement to bring a sheet carried by one conveyor into juxtaposition with a sheet carried by the other conveyor, and means for effecting the connection of the sheets to form a composite sheet.

20. In a machine for making composite sheets, the combination of an endless chain conveyor, a second endless chain conveyor disposed transversely to thev first named conveyor, grippers on the said conveyors for engaging the individual sheets, means for advancing the conveyors with a step by step movement to bring a sheet carried by one conveyor into juxtaposition with a sheet carried by the other conveyor, means for automatically releasing the grippers to leave the sheets in juxtaposition, and means for effect; ing the connection of the sheets to form a composite sheet.

21. In a machine for operating upon sheets, the combination of a platen, a presser bar cooperating therewith, a pair of levers for moving the bar into alignment with the platen, a second pair of levers for moving the bar against the platen, onel pair of said levers having guiding means for the bar, and the other pair of said levers also having guiding means 'for the bar disposed transversely to said rst guiding means, and means for rocking said levers to cause said bar to align with and move against said platen.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

SIMON COOPER. 

